Institute of Endocrinology

Institute of Endocrinology of the Medical Academy of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences was established in 1978, and since 1994 became a part of the current Medical Academy of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS)

The principal aim of IE is to carry out fundamental, clinical and epidemiological research in the field of endocrine pathology and act as a scientific base for doctoral studies of PhD students, as well as improvement of scientific competence for academic personnel at LUHS.

The institute consists of two laboratories – diabetes and general endocrinology. The major activities cover fundamental and clinical research in the field of biomedical sciences, including Biology (B01) and Medicine (B06).

The scope of current scientific work focuses on the following directions:

The aim of the study: To identify the cardiometabolic risk factors in Turner syndrome (TS) population in Lithuania.

Objects:

1. To investigate the prevalence of aortic lesions by using radiological evaluation methods (cardioechoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging) in TS population.

2. To identify the association between congenital cardiovascular abnormalities and aortic dilation in the assessed group.

3. To evaluate the influence of metabolic disorders and hormonal imbalance to aortic dilation in TS.

4. To compare the prevalence of Fibrilin-1 gene (FBL-1) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs10519177 and rs211818 between TS and healthy females.

5. To identify the correlation between FBL-1 SNP’s rs10519177 and rs211818 and aortic diameter in TS.

6. To evaluate the correlation between cardiometabolic disorders, hormone imbalance and genetic features and aortic diameter changes in TS during 18 mounths.

7. To assess the psychoemotional state, congenital functions, sexual function and quality of life in TS population.

Genetic diabetes in Lithuania

The programme "Research and Development" is a constituent part of the Lithuanian-Swiss cooperation programme. Project “Genetic diabetes in Lithuania” was developed in the frame of this programme based on the up-to-date scientific knowledge. The aim of this study is to screen diabetic children and young adults who have no signs of autoimmunity (i.e. lack of antibodies typically associated with Type 1) or who present with diabetes associated with congenital malformations of the pancreas. Setting aside the origin of autoimmune diabetes in patients diagnosed with genetic diabetes, they will be permitted to switch from insulin to oral therapy products. This is the first and unique opportunity in Lithuania for patients to diagnose genetic diabetes free.

The project is funded by the support of Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Lithuania's budget. Project started in November 2012 and will last till April 2016. The project budget is 6.684.38.87€.

e-PREDICE

“Early Prevention of Diabetes Complications in Europe” was funded by SEVENTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME. General objective of project is to assess the long-term effects of different therapeutic regimens, both pharmacological and lifestyle interventions, for the early prevention of diabetic complications in people with intermediate hyperglycaemia (IFG or IGT) and screen-detected diabetes (SD-T2D). During the research 3000 45-74-year-aged patients from 12 countries will be examined. Project budget is 8.212.206.89€, Lithuanian part – 224.864.00 € Project duration is 1st of January 2012 - 31st of December 2016.

MANAGE-CARE

“Active ageing with type 2 diabetes as model for development and implementation of innovative chronic care management in Europe (MANAGE-CARE)” was funded by SEVENTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME. MANAGE-CARE focuses on prevention of costly complications and hospitalizations of patients with chronic diseases with diabetes as a model disease.

Project budget is 1.154.069.00 €, Lithuanian part – 14.659.00 € Project started in May 2013 and will last till April 2016.